A sharp pain gutted my senses, and I staggered a few feet forwards but captured the guy who wounded me by hand and punched him on his abdomen. Unable to unfold my eyes and being knocked on the head, I could merely hear a bell jingling in my brain that broke a sweat on my body. 

“Master, you alright?” I felt a pull by Charles, whose voice was further on the dulled side.

“I’m okay!” I wheezed and coughed a little because of the intense pain and tasted metallic liquid in my mouth. I wiped the unpleasant metallic taste from my mouth and gagged when few remnants entered my windpipe.

“Jesus! Sorry, Zearo! I did not know it’s you!“ I heard a familiar voice. Opening my eyelids gently, unable to get a clear look in the dark, I took a step forward and saw Anthony standing, clutching his stomach and blood dripping down his mouth. 

“Damn you, Anthony! You would have killed me!” I said wheezing all over again when the pain in my head intensified. Drake came in the middle shushing both of us and pointed at the black-hooded man in the front. 

“I’m sorry, I thought you were one of them. Couldn’t recognize you in the darkness.” He apologized again.

“Eh, you guys know each other?” Drake raised a question, stopping our banter.

“He is Liara’s Bodyguard.” 

“Friend!” Anthony corrected, glaring at me.

“Whatever,” I said, not interested in any fight right now. We went in through a small crack area from the back of this dungeon type of building. Soon we entered a dark area. All the windows were closed and the lights of the entire building were off. If we study it closely, some zero power colourful bulbs were lit on every corner sufficient for the human eye to see the passageways but not the obstacles. I pushed three of them back and took tentative steps on the front, hunching down lightly and tiptoeing all along.

“Why are you here?” Anthony questioned. He threw a suspicious look at me.

“The same reason you are here,” I answered, not bothering to indulge in a fight.

“He is here because I asked him to. I’m Charles Chief in Command of Manhattan.” Charles introduced himself, and I was glad that he did.

“You! I recognise you, you were with that grey-eyed man this morning who triggered Liara on gunpoint!” Anthony charged towards Drake, but Charles stopped him midair.

“Enough!” I barked, unable to concentrate on the situation and their banter making it worse. Putting my pointed finger on my lips, I raised my eyebrows at Drake questioningly.

“I went to stop whatever they planned to do but I was late as Samira changed the plan at the last moment not informing me.” He answered me, shrugging his shoulders.

“He is my family. You’ve done this to him so you have to take care of him. Sign it already!” I picked up someone’s agitated voice behind the closed doors next to where we stood.

“I’m not marrying this asshole!” Liara’s voice followed.

“What are they talking about?” I asked cluelessly when I tiptoed carefully slicing the throat of a black hooded guy before he could make any commotion.

“The guy with the most awful face is Carter D’Luka, who was arrested recently because of some illicit works. As retribution, he and others are forcing her to sign off all her properties away and marry that Johnson guy. Then only they will let her family go.” Anthony said in a hushed tone, not making his presence known.

“Damn! They are going to destroy her entire life.” Charles muttered under his breath and started clicking something on his phone.

“Don’t! They are going to kill them all if by any means they doubt that Liara informed the police. They’ve warned her not to. Please?” Anthony whispered, tiptoeing along with us.

“Why did Samira do this?!” I asked myself but heard Charles chuckle behind me. 

“Samira is jealous of her. She thinks Liara is of some importance to you and you are looking after her. That’s the reason she is going to kill Liara. We know Samira, she will not let her live.” Drake pointed at the ajar door. I glanced through it and found Samira holding a dagger on that poor old lady’s neck. Her hair tied back to a ponytail and face void of emotions.

“Liara has nothing to do with my relationship status!” I gritted my teeth, unable to realize how irrelevant this sounds. I sensed someone looking at me and spun around to find the questioning look from Anthony. 

“She is how she is now. We have to take them down before Liara signs the documents.” Charles said, giving me a knowing look, and then it invaded my brain. Maybe what transpired with Charles was also a planned plot. I was wrong all along!.

“I’m signing! I’m signing!” Liara’s trembling voice entered my soul, making me shudder, and my heart clenched at the agony it held.

“She is calling off plan A, she can’t do this!” Anthony whispered and yanked another black hooded guy’ neck. 

“What the hell are you talking about?!” Charles questioned. As we were closing off the tunnel, we could see a ray of sunlight passing through the corridor along with a staircase that was ajar and dead bodies lying on the ground giving me gory vibes of old times. 

“Liara sorted everything out. I don’t have time to explain to you the details. If you really wanna help, then help her keep the people in the room distracted. We just need ten more minutes to rescue Dima and Mia from the staircase up through the roof. You just have to go with the flow and buy us some time by misleading the guards. As I see you know that redheaded hag, keep her distracted so she could keep her claws away from Dima. My people have entered already wearing the same uniform as that of the guards in here. Drake, will you accompany me to the staircase?” Anthony left us speechless, holding the hands of Drake. 

Charles and I stood dumbfounded as they planned out everything. My mind made various assumptions on how to solve this current situation. Then I overheard her again, “Don’t hit her, I swear to God I will rip your hands out if you harm her again!” She roared at Samira, and the anger in her voice was enough to make me jump in the pit.

Slamming the door ajar, I kicked the black-hooded guy who came my way holding a knife. I twisted his hand and then threw him on the ground. When another guy came crashing towards me, Charles moved forward and pinned him down. 

Not holding back anymore, I strode towards Liara who had crouched down at the other direction to sign the papers. I heard Samira calling after me, but I did not glance at her and held Liara’s hands away from the papers; I wrapped my hands around her shoulder and hugged her tightly. I couldn’t identify whose heartbeat was drumming so loudly, but then felt her stir and peek at me.

“Darling, you cheating on your husband?” I smirked and winked at her adorable ocean blue eyes, avoiding all the gasps and murmurs around us. 

“Huh?” She pushed me with all the energy left with her and I gave her space. We both looked at where Dima was tied up and found Anthony hiding behind a wall near the stairs. Taking a deep breath, I looked straight up at Liara’s eyes and asked accusingly, “I have always loved you so much and you preferred to marry this piglet even after we are wed?” My heartbeat hammering in my ribcage and hands sweaty. I just want this to work for the time being. 

“What the fuck! She married no one!” Carter dude shouted at me. “Liara! Stop this act and sign them!” He pointed to a gun that was already charged.

“She wanted this to be hidden and surprise Dima on her birthday.” I blabbered not even knowing if this would be valid.

“Right! I was the first witness and as the Chief in Command, my sign validated their marriage.” Charles chimed continuing my lies. 

“You informed the cops, even if I warned you not to?” Carter guy roared.

“I Did Not!” Liara retorted and Charles looked at us apologetically.

“You are joking, right?” I heard Samira from behind. My blood boiled just looking at her face and the things she has done to my dear friends.

“I don’t think I’m the one who needs to explain things here now, do I?” I spat at Samira who took some staggering steps back.

From the farthest corner of my eyes, I glanced at my surroundings and spotted Drake and Anthony taking slow and steady strides towards Dima and another girl who was left unchecked because of the commotion I’ve created.

“This whore is not married! He may be another one of her fuckbuddies for all I care! Sign the damn documents!” Carter triggered the gun straight on Liara’s head. I saw red at the moment and felt Liara pushing herself away from me and towards the papers.

“How dare you call my wife a Whore?” I roared so loudly, clutching Carter’s neck harder with all my might. I couldn’t hear anything, just saw red everywhere. His dirty mouth spat saliva because of my hold on his neck, making him unable to breathe. 

Out of nowhere, I heard a gunshot that brought me back to the ground and I dropped Carter, releasing my hold on him.

“Don’t you dare try to act smart here. I will kill her even before you could process how this happened!” Samira fired another gunshot that slashed my arms which I extended pulling Liara away from gunpoint in just a few seconds. I glanced at Anthony’s figure, which vanished almost as in thin air along with the two hostages. “That was fast!” I thought, but then saw the current situation we were in and held Liara tight. 

“Master!” Charles stepped towards me but was again caught up with two black hooded guys marching towards me.

“Zearo! Let me go!” A weak voice spoke behind me, struggling to get past my body.

“Just stay put, I’m going to save you okay?” I whispered into her ears.

“You are the one who is making it even more dangerous, you asshole!” Liara spoke through gritted teeth, making me wonder where I went wrong. She then pointed towards the exit where more men marched towards us. I, Charles and Liara were surrounded by ten giant men along with Carter and Samira and more men marched towards our way rushing.

“How did they both escape?!” Roared Carter guy almost shooting two guys who stood crouching in front of him. “They must be near, find them and bring them to me. Dead or alive wouldn’t matter anymore!” He barked like a crazy dog. 

“I will castrate you if they catch Dima and Mia,” Liara spoke, stomping at my feet. 

“Boss, what do we do?” Charles’s voice entered my ears, and I facepalmed.

“You ugly son of a bitch, you can never find them and if you want to kill me and take my property then you are wrong because“ Liara moved forward towards the fuming Carter holding the papers she had to sign, my mind cannot even imagine why she is agitating that bull.

“These properties are mine, I’m not giving them up just like that.” She shredded the paper into pieces and threw them right in his face. Samira marched towards her but Charles held her even if we were surrounded by so many men. No one charged first, I looked at the men and then Anthony's words hit me, "My people have entered already wearing the same uniform as that of the guards in here.

“You thought just by tearing down these papers you will getaway? I know you, you whore! I have four more copies! You will sign them no matter what. Otherwise, I will kill your husband!” He said, pointing a gun in my direction. “You don’t even know what you are doing buddy, she can let me die for all I know.” I thought out loud, chuckling at my current position.

“You can kill him. I didn’t ask for his help. He can take care of himself, anyway.” She paused, looked at my direction and then whispered to him, “And yeah, he came with a cop so you better think of your next step properly before getting us all killed.“ she winked at me this time. I blew up some air through my nose I was holding because of the intensity of the situation. She spoke confidently, her body rigid yet looked delicate and shone brightly in this dimly lit room.

“You are uttering nonsense! You have destroyed me! I want my property back. I will kill you bitch!” 

“Ah ah ah, you wouldn’t do that.” She took a step back, folding her hands back and looking around, I don’t even know why. When her eyes met mine, she smiled, and I stood clueless, not understanding whatever was happening. 

“Hubby, would you like to take a seat? Party just began.” Liara clapped her hands, showing how she was enjoying the situation. My heartbeat was not in my control anymore. I just stood rooted breathlessly looking at the charming woman who stood in the middle of guns and armed men, unarmed but still more confident than any of them. 

“For your information, I think we have wasted enough time to get to the major part, Carter. Now I’m the only person hostage here and my family is not. Aaannd, you’ve got only ten minutes to release me safely to avoid getting shot by The Luchellies.” This made me wonder whatever she had up her sleeves. She is playing with fire. Charles wanted to call his team, and I thought it might be necessary as she is waging a war between Mafias now. 

“What do you mean by that.! Why would they shoot me? They are my friends! Guards, why are you watching my face? Kill this woman!” Carter shouted at the top of his lungs, making me wince. 

“Nobody shoots or my team will enter. You can talk this through or end up dead, it’s on you.” Charles spoke pointing his gun towards one of their guards and holding Samira under his arms not allowing her to move. 

“Carter darling, please hear me out and then you can plan your funeral. I’ve some interesting news for you.” Liara’s voice was stone cold and much calmer than I’ve ever heard. Her tentative steps towards Carter forced me to be in a protective stance, but she halted me by raising her hand.

“You know what, Luchellies shipment has been seized by the cops in the yard and the informer is Carter D’Luka.” She chuckled. My eyebrows might have touched the roof realising things were turning. I never imagined she could pull so many strings at a time. 

“I-I didn’t inform anyone about anything! I don’t even know what you are talking about!” Carter grew more and more agitated and I was enjoying it.

“Aw, poor man. How should we plan your death? Caught between crossfire or hunted down by the Luchellies? The choice is yours.” 

“You don’t have any proof woman! Stop beating around the bush!” 

“Charles, can I ask you for a favour?” Liara looked at Charles. He looked at me as clueless as I was and nodded.

“Great! So please call your control room and ask for updates related to Luchellies shipment, thank you.” She said and strode towards the chair where her Dima was tied up. 

“Damn!” I cursed under my breath because never have I come across something like this and that’s making me realize this woman is no commoner and my interest in her grew at an enormous speed. This dungeon was now hers because she was the only one sitting comfortably and we all were looking at her as if she had a bomb in her hands and she can kill us all if she wished to.

I looked at my surroundings undying that once was a battlefield but now barely 5 guards at Charles gunpoint and Samira tied up. Carter looked like he was going to shit at any moment and Johnson, well, he was playing with Liara, don’t ask me how. 

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